Portable crop bed bag

ABSTRACT

A portable levee system includes a bag having a preselected geometric shape. The bag is continuous in that it has a length at least equal to its width, and is preferably many times as long. A top portion of the bag is open for receiving nutrient rich dirt. A preferred geometric shape is a trapezoid. The bags preferably have a soaker hose extending through an end and over a plurality of lateral webs within the bag. The bags may be filled with dirt and crops planted therein. The soaker hose may be attached to a pump and water source to provide water to the crops. A plurality of bags may be linearly aligned in order to form a plurality of rows of crops.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATION

[0001] This Continuation-in-part Application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/621,425, filed on Jul. 21, 2000, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Technical Field

[0003] This invention relates to a portable crop bed bag. More particularly, this invention relates to both a trapezoidal-shaped continuous bag that is filled with dirt and top soil and may have a soaker hose placed therethrough in order to grow a plurality of crops.

[0004] 2. Relevant Art

[0005] Growing crops in a drought stricken area is very difficult since it is quite difficult to deliver water from a water source to he crops in an efficient and productive manner. Many farmers use irrigation channels extending from a water supply such as a pond, lake, creek, or river to a crop bed. However, when water supplies are low it is very difficult to move the water for example when the water supply is at a lower elevation than the crop bed. Additionally, even when the water supply is at proper elevations to deliver water to the crop bed, a large quantity of water loss may occur from the water leaking from the soil as well as evaporating. In more modem irrigation systems water may be pumped from a water source or supply to a crop bed and sprayed over the crops using industrial sized sprinklers. These sprinklers often industrial sized and rotary and can spray water for longer distances than the type of sprinklers used for residential watering. However, these sprinklers have a problem in that during hot, dry months a large amount of water may be lost to evaporation as the water is sprayed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable levee system for use in flood control.

[0007] A further object of the present invention is to provide a portable levee system including a continuous collapsible bag stored in a container and dispensed for filling.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable levee system including bags which can be continuously dispensed and filled from a moving vehicle.

[0009] It is an even further object of the present invention to provide a portable levee system including a trailer for dispensing a continuous bag, and an auger for picking up and depositing fill material into the bag along a path of travel of the dispensing trailer.

[0010] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method of making a portable levee.

[0011] Still yet an even further object of present invention is to provide a bag which may be continuously dispensed and used as a crop bed for farms which may aid crop growth in drought stricken areas.

[0012] More particularly, and in accordance with the structure and the method of operation hereinafter discussed, the present invention provides a levee which can be constructed in a fraction of the time required to build an equivalently-sized levee utilizing current emergency levee construction systems.

[0013] Specifically, the present invention provides a continuous bag design which includes lateral webs formed therein to hold the bag to a preselected geometric shape. A preferred bag shape is trapezoidal, whereby the bag has a largest dimension at a base when viewed from an end. Guide sleeves containing a rope of sufficient diameter to keep the guide sleeve in the bag guides are sewn along two upper edges of the bag and fed into a pair of bag guides, each bag guide having two rails, thereby holding the bag in position for filling. The continuous bag is stored in a container, either on a roll, or compressed therein, accordion-style. In either storage method, a dispenser, for example a trailer, dispenses the bag from the container and onto the ground. While the bag is being paid out, available fill material, such as, for example, sand, gravel, or rocks is deposited into the bag. One embodiment of the present invention relies on the use of a bob-cat, or similar loader to lift and deposit fill material into the bag. However, a preferred embodiment utilizes an auger system including a chute that transports fill material via the auger system into an opening defined by the two upper edges and formed at a top of the bag. The fill material is deposited onto a grate or screen which is suspended over the opening whereby the grate sifts the fill material, as desired, in order to provide a uniform consistency of fill material. The auger system operates in conjunction with a dump truck, trailer, or other transport means for delivering fill material to the dispenser.

[0014] Although the present invention can be deposited on-site and remain stationary, a preferred dispenser is a wheeled or tracked vehicle such as, for example, a trailer or a self-propelled vehicle. Likewise, a preferred auger system is wheeled or tracked. Alternatively, the auger system can be lowered onto a support surface, such as, for example, the ground, whereby the auger system brings fill material up to the bag from the ground directly in its path and alongside the path of the dispenser. The latter option is most readily foreseen when filling sandbags near a river or stream bank, and soft mud/dirt along the bank is to be used for filling the bags. A typical base dimension for the bag is six feet across, but any dimension can be used.

[0015] In accordance with a further embodiment, a portable crop bed bag is depicted having a shorter height than the levee bags described herein may be used to grow crops, especially in drought stricken or rain deprived areas. The bags may have a trapezoidal shape when viewed from an end with a length determined based on the land being used and the amount of crops desired. Extending through the length of the bag may be a hose having a plurality of holes therein for soaking the crops. Once the crops are planted in the bag, the hose may be attached to a water source and preferably pumped to water the crops. Another advantage of this embodiment is that water use is focused and directed to the roots and therefore less water is lost to evaporation and other inefficiencies. Additionally, instead of using a labyrinth of irrigation channels to move water to crops wherein water may be lost, the hose delivers water directly to the developing root systems for a more efficient use and delivery. Additional objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following written description and the figures relating thereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] A better understanding of the invention will be had upon reference to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views and wherein:

[0017]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sandbag of a preferred embodiment of a portable levee system of the present invention;

[0018]FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of the sandbag of FIG. 1;

[0019]FIG. 3 is a front view of a portable levee system of the present invention;

[0020]FIG. 4 is a top view of a portable levee system of the present invention;

[0021]FIG. 5 is a side view of a portable levee system of the present invention;

[0022]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a alternative embodiment of the portable levee system bag of the present invention;

[0023]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an additional alternative embodiment for a portable levee system bag for the present invention;

[0024]FIG. 8 is an end view of the male and female fastening clips for use on the portable levee system bags of the present invention;

[0025]FIG. 9 is a side view of the portable levee system bag of the present invention wherein the attachment clips are affixed to the side panel of the bag.

[0026]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a bag used for crop growth having a soaker hose extending therethrough.

[0027]FIG. 11 is an end view of the bag shown in FIG. 10.

[0028]FIG. 12 shows a detail of a guide attached to the bag of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0029] In the Figures is shown a portable levee system 10. FIGS. 1 and 2 show a bag 12 which is continuous in that it has a length at least equal to its width, and preferably a length substantially greater than its width. The bag 12 includes one or more lateral webs 14 formed therein to define a preselected geometric shape. A preferred bag 12 shape is trapezoidal, whereby the bag 12 has a greatest dimension at a base 16 when viewed from an end. Guide sleeves 18, containing guide ropes 20, are sewn along two upper edges 22 of the bag 12. The two upper edges 22 define an opening 24. The bag 12 has a flap 26 hingedly attached to one side of the opening 24 and the flap 26 is of sufficient length and width to cover the opening 24 when in a closed position thereby sealing the sandbag 12.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 3-5, a dispenser 30 includes a pair of bag guides 32, each bag guide has two rails 34, whereby the guide sleeves 18 are retained by the rails 34, thereby holding the bag 12 in position for filling. The continuous bag 12 is collapsibly disposed within a container 40, either on a roll, or compressed therein, accordion-style. The container 40 has an opening through which the bag 12 may pass as bag 12 is paid out. The container 40 is mounted on a forward portion of the dispenser 30 and the bag guides 32 are disposed immediately adjacent to an upper portion of the container 40 and running rearward from the container 40. In this fashion, the bag guides slidably receive the guide sleeves 18. The dispenser 30 such as, for an example shown in the Figures, a trailer, dispenses the bag 12 from the container 40 and onto a support surface 100, such as, for example, a river shoreline, or other geographical terrain. While the bag 12 is being paid out, available fill material 102, such as, for example, sand, gravel, or rocks is deposited therein.

[0031] One embodiment of the present invention relies on the use of a bob-cat, or similar loading equipment to lift and deposit fill material 102 into the bag 12. However, a preferred embodiment includes an auger system 50 including a chute 52 that transports fill material 102 via the auger system 50 into the opening 24 of the bag 12.

[0032] The auger system 50 is pivotably mounted to the dispenser 30 and includes a chute 52 which is adjustably positionable over a grate 36 and thereby disposed over the opening 24 formed at a top of the bag 12. The auger system 50 includes a hopper 54 and auger compartment 56, whereby hopper 54 receives fill material received from a dump truck, trailer, or other transport means, and the fill material 102 is collected into the auger compartment 56. Once in the auger compartment 56, the fill material 102 is transported to the dispenser 30 by rotation of augers 58 and 60. In an alternate embodiment, the auger system 50 is lowered to dig directly into the support surface 100, instead of receiving fill material 102 into the hopper 54, whereby the auger system 50 brings fill material 102 in contact with auger 58 and therefrom to the bag 12. In this embodiment, fill material 102 is received directly from ground surface 100 directly in the path of the auger system 50, and alongside the path of the dispenser 30. The latter option is most readily foreseen when filling bags 12 near a river or stream bank, and soft mud/dirt along the bank is to be used for filling the bags 12. A brace 62 is attached between the auger system 50 and the dispenser 30 in order to maintain desired rigidity and support of the auger system 50.

[0033] A hitch 64 and a power take-off connection 66 is provided at a forward portion of the dispenser 30, whereby the dispenser 30 is towed and rotational energy is provided to a power transfer system (not shown) which, in turn, causes the augers 58 and 60 (when provided) to rotate, thereby depositing fill material 102 into bag 12, after passing through the grate 36 which is removably suspended over the bag guides 32 and also over the opening 24. The grate 36 sifts the fill material 102, as desired, and allows the bag 12 to receive the sifted fill material 102. In this fashion, fill material 102 is provided having a uniform consistency. As desired, the grate 36 may be removed in order to allow the use of coarser fill material 102 than would otherwise be able to pass through the grate 36.

[0034] Although the present invention can be deposited on-site and there remain in a stationary position, a preferred dispenser 30 has wheels 70, tracks (not shown), or skids (not shown). The example shown in FIGS. 3-5 is a trailer having a steering system (not shown) to be pulled by a tractor or a truck. However, other embodiments include, for example, a self-propelled vehicle (not shown). Likewise, a preferred auger system 50 has wheels, tracks (not shown), or skids (not shown). The dispenser 30 shown in FIGS. 3-5 has four wheels 70. The auger system 50 shown likewise has a wheel 70 attached on an outer side.

[0035] Bag 12 is preferably made of sturdy material such as, for example, plastic-impregnated cloth, or conventional sandbag material. A typical base 16 dimension for the bag 12 is six feet across, but any other dimension may be used.

[0036] An alternative version of the portable levee system bag for the present invention is shown in FIG. 6. The portable levee system bag 112 shown in FIG. 6 is similar to the bag shown in FIG. 1 with some minor additions. Initially, as can be seen by referring to FIG. 6, a plurality of partitions walls 113 are provided to extend between the front wall 117 and the rear wall 118 of the portable levee system bag. The bag 112 is comprised of the front wall 117, rear wall 118, first side-wall 115, second side-wall 116, bottom portion 119 and top flap 26. As is found in the bag shown in FIG. 1 are upper edges 22 for the guide rail. Additionally, flap 26 is hingedly connected to the rear wall 118 such that it covers the top opening and entrance to each of the separate partitions openings 110. The bag 112 is also provided with a plurality of reinforced loops 120 and 121. Loops 120 are found on the top edge of the front wall 117 while reinforced loops 121 are found at the top edge of the rear wall 118 at the hinge point of flap 126 and rear wall 118. The portable levee system bag 112 shown in FIG. 6 is provided with the plurality of partition walls 113 to define each partition section 110 which is to be filled with sand or the like material. The bag 112 may be utilized as a heavy duty reenforced version which may be utilized to fill a breech in an existing earthen levee. The plurality of loops 120 and 121 may be utilized for ease of movement of the filled bag as a bag filled with sand or a like material may be quite heavy and not readily moveable without machinery. Thus, loops 120 and 121 may be secured by chains or possibly a pipe or an extended steel bar may be laced therethrough. Thus, the portable levee system bag 112 shown in FIG. 6 may be readily moved after filling.

[0037] The plurality of partitioned openings 110 provide a reinforced levee system bag such that should one of the partitions become punctured, the remaining partitions in bag 112 remain in position. Loops 120 and 121, as indicated as being reinforced, may be sewn to the wall material of the levee system bag 112 and may be comprised of plastics, nylons, or any strong reenforced material which is capable of supporting the high weight of the filled bags.

[0038] Turning to FIG. 7, an additional alternative embodiment of a portable levee system bag 212 is shown. This alternative embodiment may be utilized in military or other use. As is shown in FIG. 7, the bag 212 is partitioned into a plurality of sections 210. The sections are defined by lateral partitioning walls 213 and longitudinal partitioning walls 214 which may be subdivided to any desired width and depth. A significant benefit of the design of the levee system bag 212 shown in FIG. 7 is such that with the added number of partitioned sections 210, the bag becomes significantly more reinforced. Should any given partitioned section 210 become breached, the remaining portion of the bag will remain intact and fully capable of its initial function. Thus, in a potential military function, the alternative embodiment of the levee system bag 212 shown in FIG. 7 may be utilized so that any given partition 210 should they be breached by small arms fire or shrapnel would be contained in that smaller area and the remaining portion of the bag would remain intact for protection and use.

[0039] As can be seen from FIG. 7, the alternative embodiment of the levee system bag 212 is similarly comprised of a front wall 117, rear wall 118, side-walls 116 and 115 and bottom wall 119. Flap 26 may be provided for covering the entry to the partitioned sections 210 and is hinged to the top section of rear wall 118.

[0040] As previously mentioned, the embodiments 112 and 212 of the portable levee system bags of the present invention is desirably of a trapezoidal shape. Returning to FIG. 6, the dimensions of the bottom 119 of the portable levee system 112 is larger than the top flap 26. Further, front wall 117 and rear wall 118 are angled slightly toward each other so that they taper toward one another thereby forming definite trapezoids on either side-walls 116 and 115 as can be seen in the Figures.

[0041] Turning to FIG. 8, the attachment or fastening clips 44 and 45 of the present invention are shown. It may be necessary such that multiple bags may be fastened together so that the end panels 115 of adjacent bags are securely affixed together thereby securing the entire system of filled bags. This may be desirable due to stability purposes and the like. The fastening clips 44 and 45 as shown in FIG. 8 are comprised of a female fastening clip 44 and a male fastening clip 45. The female fastening clip has a channel 47 which will receive an extension 46 extending outward from the male fastening clip 45. In this manner, the opposing fastening clips may be securely affixed and press-fit together so that adjacent bags are securely held in place. The fastening clips as shown in FIG. 8 may be attached to the side panel 115 of the dispensing bag 12 through use of a stapling device or plastic wing nut 43. Thus, on one end panel 115 will be a row of female fastening clips 44 and on the adjacent bag which is secured next to it in the levee system or like structure will be male fastening clips 45. As shown in the drawings, the fastening clips may be placed on the end panel 115 and similarly the fastening clips may be affixed to the opposite side panel or to the bottom panel of the levee system bag. In this manner, the entire structure may be secured together to provide a strong levee system which is comprised of a plurality of portable levee system bags, all of which are interconnected together for strength and stability purposes. Alternative fastening means may be readily used and fill within the present teachings.

[0042] A method for providing a levee consists of the following steps:

[0043] 1) dispensing a bag 12 from a container 40;

[0044] 2) feeding the bag 12 onto guide rails 34;

[0045] 3) lowering a base 16 of the bag 12 to a support surface 100;

[0046] 4) expanding the bag 12 from a collapsed storage state;

[0047] 5) disposing an opening 24 of the bag 12 into a condition to receive fill material 102;

[0048] 6) transporting the fill material 102 via an auger system 50 to;

[0049] 7) positioning a chute 52 of the auger system 50 above a grate 36;

[0050] 8) depositing the fill material 102 onto the grate 36;

[0051] 9) sifting the fill material 102 through the grate 36;

[0052] 10) depositing the sifted fill material 102 into the bag 12 through the opening 24;

[0053] 11) moving the dispenser 30 along a path of intended travel, thereby providing continuous expansion of the bag 12 for continued receiving of fill material 102; and,

[0054] 12) replacing a filled bag 12 from an empty container 40 of the dispenser 30 with a new, collapsibly stored, bag 12, whereby the new bag 12 is disposed to abut or otherwise rest, as desired, in proximity to said filled bag 12.

[0055] In accordance with a further embodiment, a bag 312, shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, may be used as a bed for growing crops, for example, in drought stricken areas. In typical farming operations, irrigation channels may be cut into the land to move water from a creek, river, pond, or lake to a bed of crops. These irrigation channels are somewhat inefficient because a large amount of water may be lost within the channels due to evaporation and absorption in and around the channels. In drought conditions, water may never reach the crops, which leads to crop loss and potential famine. In a more modem method of watering crops, large-scale sprinklers are used to water crops. The sprinklers are connected to a hose and a water source and the pressurized water travels through the hose and through the sprinkler which typically rotates while spraying the crops. This method also has several problems that lead to water loss. First, a large amount of water may evaporate during hot, dry summer conditions both as the water is sprayed and while it collects on the farm land surface. Second, large amounts of water may run off from the farm ground if the ground is very hard as typical in summer conditions. Thus a farmer may receive little or no benefit for the money spent in trying to water crops using these traditional methods. In order to overcome these problems, the bag 312 may be used to grow crops.

[0056] The bag 312 may have a preselected geometric shape, preferably a trapezoidal shape, as described above but preferably does not have a flap attached along a length of an upper edge of the bag 312, as shown in the prior embodiments. The bag 312 may have sides 319, ends 313, and a base 316. The sides 319 may be tapered to form the trapezoidal shape when view from an end as in FIG. 11, while the ends 313 may be substantially vertical. The invention of the present embodiment may differ in dimension from the above-described bags. The bag 312 may have a height being between about 6 inches and 3 feet, depending on the potential root growth but is preferably about one and a half feet tall. The bag 312 may be shorter in height since it does not need to retain rising waters along a creek, river, or other body of water. The bag 312 also has an opening 324 in an upper portion of the bag 312 wherein a quantity of dirt may be disposed in order to grow a desired type and number of crops. The opening 324 is defined by upper edges 322 of sides 319 and upper edges 322 of ends 313. Within the bag 312 maybe a plurality of lateral webs 314 which form partitions within the bag 312. The partitions provide rigidity to the bag 312 so that if one portion of the bag 312 is breached by a sharp object, the entire bag will not collapse. The height of the lateral webs 314 is preferably less than the height of the bag 312 and may between about 1 and 6 inches shorter.

[0057] A soaker hose 315 may be used to water the crops planted in the bag 312. The soaker hose 315 is typically known in the art as having a circular cross-section and some longitudinal dimension. The length of the soaker hose 315 in this embodiment may be determined by the length of the bag 312. The hose 315 preferably has at least one connection at a first end and either a second connection at a second end or closed second end from which water may not pass. The first end of the hose 315 may be connected to a pump 325 and water supply 327 as shown in FIG. 10. With the second connection, a plurality of hoses 315 may be connected together in series to acquire a desired length. The closed end of the soaker hose 315 forces water through a plurality of holes 321 within the hose wall. The plurality of holes 321 within the wall of the soaker hose 315 allow water to move from within the hose to an exterior side of the hose and thereby water the root system of the crops planted within the bag 312. The bag 312 may have an aperture 317 in the ends 313 for placing the hose 315 therethrough. The partitions 314 may either have a hole therethrough for placing the hose 315 or preferably, a shorter height than the ends 313 so that the hose passes above the partition 314. Once dirt and top soil are placed within the bag 312, the hose 315 is placed in the bag preferably about 1 to 2 inches below the top surface of the dirt. This ensures that the water will be delivered to newly developing root systems, which begin near the surface of the dirt. Moreover, gravity will force the water downward as the roots develop and grow in that direction. In addition, there is little or no evaporation from the soil surface and no evaporation caused by water being sprayed through the air to the crops.

[0058] Along the upper edges 322 of the sides 319 may be a plurality of guides 318 shown in FIGS. 10 and 12. The guides 318 are preferably attached to the bags 312 and may be screwed to the bags 312 through holes 323. The guides 318 are preferably slidably positioned in the portable levee system 10 for placement in an area to be farmed. In use the bag 312 is slidably positioned within the portable levee system 10 for filling. The bag 312 may be filled with nutrient rich dirt and topsoil using the methods described above. The portable levee system 10 pulls forward, leaving the bag 312 in place and positioning another portion of bag 312 or a second bag 312 for filling. Once the bag 312 is filled, the soaker hose 315 is disposed in the bag 312 through an end hole 317 or over the end of the bag 313. The hose 315 is preferably disposed about 1 to 2 inches below the top surface of the dirt. The hose may be positioned over the lateral web 314 since the lateral web is preferably about 2 to 6 inches lower in height than the ends 313. A plurality of bags 312 may be linearly aligned for some distance depending on the size of farm and amount of crops to be grown. Additionally, pluralities of rows of bags 312 may be formed to fully utilize the area of land which is available to farm.

[0059] The detailed description is given primarily for clearness of understanding and no unnecessary limitations are to be understood therefrom for modifications will become obvious to those skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure and may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable crop bed bag, comprising: a bag, said bag having a preselected geometric shape and an opening in an upper portion for receiving fill material; said bag having a soaker hose extending within said bag along a longitudinal dimension of said bag; said soaker hose connected to a water supply.
 2. The portable crop bed bag of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of lateral webs disposed within said crop bed bag.
 3. The portable crop bed bag of claim 2, said lateral webs having a height less than a height of said crop bed bag.
 4. The portable crop bed bag of claim 1, said hose having a plurality of holes therein and extending through an end of said bag.
 5. The portable crop bed bag of claim 1, said preselected geometric shape being trapezoidal.
 6. The portable crop bed bag of claim 5, said bag having tapered sides and substantially vertical ends defining said trapezoidal shape.
 7. The portable crop bed bag of claim 6, said sides and ends defining said opening in said upper portion.
 8. A portable crop bed bag, comprising: a bag having a trapezoidal shape defined by vertical ends and tapered sides; said bag having a hose extending longitudinally through said bag; said bag having a plurality of lateral webs extending between said sides; said webs having a height lower than a height of said bag.
 9. The portable crop bed bag of claim 8, said bag having an opening defined by said ends and said sides.
 10. The portable crop bed bag of claim 8, said sides being tapered and said ends being substantially vertical.
 11. The portable crop bed bag of claim 8, said soaker hose being connected to a pressurized water source.
 12. The portable crop bed bag of claim 8, said bag having a height of between about 1 foot and one and a half feet.
 13. The portable crop bed bag of claim 11, said hose having a plurality of holes therein.
 14. A portable crop bed bag, comprising: a bag, said bag having a preselected geometric shape including tapered sides and substantially vertical ends; said bag having a plurality of lateral webs extending between said sides; said lateral webs having a height less than said bag; a hose extending through said ends and over said lateral webs, longitudinally through said bag; said bags having a fill material disposed therein and a plurality of crops planted longitudinally within said bag; said hose positioned between about one and two inches beneath a surface of said dirt.
 15. The portable crop bed bag of claim 14, said preselected shape being trapezoidal.
 16. The portable crop bed bag of claim 14 having a plurality of bag guides extending from said sides.
 17. The portable crop bed bag of claim 14, said hose having a plurality of holes therein.
 18. A crop bed, comprising: a plurality of crop bed bags longitudinally aligned; said bags forming a plurality of rows; said bags having dirt therein and a plurality of crops planted in said dirt. 